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Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

A shopper with a shopping trolley in Centennial, Colorado in the US. Photo: AP

United States

US economy grows 2% in January–March; Iran war clouds outlook

The economy also recovered from last autumn’s 43-day federal shutdown.

2 hours agovideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan’s IMF-backed recovery under pressure as Iran-US mediation stalls

3 hours agovideocam

Brics

Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Global oil price hits 4-year high on concerns Iran war could worsen

Global oil benchmark Brent hits $126.41 a barrel, amid warnings it could reach US$150 as peace talks stall.

3 hours ago

An employee of Basra Oil Company at the Nahr Bin Umar Oil and Gas Field on the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Photo: AFP

Britain

UK to tackle antisemitism ‘emergency’ as police probe double stabbing

This includes £25 million (US$34 million) for more police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres.

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Oil surge on Trump blockade warning tests stocks’ resilience

Crude oil surged to a four-year high and stocks pared April gains after US President Donald Trump said that a US block of the Strait of Hormuz could last months.

30 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | How the AI boom is helping Asia weather the Iran war energy shock

The war in Iran might as well be over for investors as positive sentiment, strong corporate earnings and the AI boom lift Asian markets.

30 Apr 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Currency traders work near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the dollar-won exchange rate at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on April 29. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

Why King Charles’ ‘Trump bell’ gift amuses Chinese internet users

The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’.

30 Apr 2026 - 4:23PMvideocam

South Korea

Could a ‘reckless’ Trump’s ‘destroy-and-deal’ tactics target North Korea?

A Korean-American leader said the strategy was influenced by ‘new neocons’, urging Seoul to prioritise risk management over diplomacy.

30 Apr 2026 - 3:41PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Industrial costs up 50% in Hong Kong since start of Mideast war: oil executive

Wah Fu Petroleum Company executive pledges to pass on subsidy to customers, while taxi union leader praises government for quick intervention.

30 Apr 2026 - 4:03PM

A taxi pulls up at an LPG filling station in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

US, Israel war on Iran

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

Countries respond to massive economic pain with accelerating demand for Chinese PV products but will they maintain the pace?

30 Apr 2026 - 4:20PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Putin talk Iran and Ukraine, US energy exports up: what happened overnight

The two conflicts could end on a ‘similar timetable’ US President Donald Trump has said.

30 Apr 2026 - 12:09PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump may cut US troops in Germany after ‘humiliating’ Iran comment

The German chancellor has drawn the US president’s ire with his remarks about Tehran besting Washington at the negotiating table.

30 Apr 2026 - 7:46AM

King Charles III

UK’s King Charles commemorates 9/11 victims in New York visit

The monarch has been emphasising the military and cultural ties between the UK and US, at a time of high tension between the countries.

30 Apr 2026 - 8:47AM

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York on Wednesday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on

US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.

30 Apr 2026 - 5:02PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump meeting in Alaska in 2025. Photo: TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war price tag hits US$25 billion as Hegseth defends record Pentagon budget

Disclosure to Congress comes as the defence chief faces mounting Democratic criticism over spending priorities and strategy.

30 Apr 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil soaring

Brent crude jumps to US$126 as the US president declares Iran is ‘choking like a stuffed pig’.

6 hours ago

US-China trade war

Chips, oil and Iran: why US is raising pressure on China before Xi-Trump talks

Washington’s latest moves target semiconductor access and small Chinese oil refineries, though analysts expect Beijing to remain resilient.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

The US chip industry is a major backer of greater restrictions on China. Others bills that have advanced in Washington recently include the Stop Stealing Our Chips Act, which would establish a programme to reward whistle-blowers who report export control violations. Photo: Shutterstock

Britain

London stabbing of 2 Jewish men is terrorist incident: police

The victims, aged 34 and 76, were hospitalised with knife wounds. A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

29 Apr 2026 - 10:54PMvideocam

China energy security

Why China may benefit from the UAE’s Opec withdrawal

Beijing may have access to increased supply – though Strait of Hormuz disruption remains a serious constraint, analysts say.

29 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Why an era of managed Hormuz disruption wouldn’t bode well for Asia

As the Gulf moves from war to managed disruption, the risk may become more enduring for markets, governments and companies.

29 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

China oil stocks rise as crude rally lifts Sinopec, CNOOC earnings

First-quarter earnings remain resilient as crude prices surge on Middle East tensions, tightening global supply and lifting margins.

29 Apr 2026 - 4:39PM

China’s oil stocks have been in focus since crude prices spiked following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Will Israel’s use of Iron Dome to aid Arab neighbour recalibrate Mideast defence?

Reported deployment ‘on UAE soil represents a qualitatively different level of trust and coordination’, analyst says.

29 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why UAE’s exit from Opec is good news for oil-thirsty Asia

Once free of Opec’s production caps, the world’s sixth-largest oil producer plans to flood the market with 5 million barrels a day.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:23AMvideocam

China GDP

US economic gap over China to widen, but Iran might bring them closer: Mahbubani

Get your head checked, strategist Mahbubani tells those who underestimate the US and China, while forecasting a bigger GDP gulf between the two by 2030.

29 Apr 2026 - 4:04PMvideocam

China, long projected to overtake the US as the world’s largest economy, could instead lose ground in the coming years, according to a global strategist. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Wartime’ in Iran and Trump’s extended blockade: here’s what happened overnight

As the US president hit out at Germany’s chancellor, Iran said it did not consider the war to be over, while the UAE pulled out of Opec.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:04AMvideocam

Smoke rises from the site of a US-Israeli strike on Tehran on April 7. An Iranian army spokesman on Tuesday said Iran still regarded it as a wartime situation. Photo: AFP

China exports

How China’s reported sulphuric acid export ban could have global buyers reeling

Foreign firms fear more halts following reports of a ban on the export of the chemical, crucial for fertiliser and battery production.

29 Apr 2026 - 6:07AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade is war by another name and must end. Two other things must change for the Iran ceasefire to become genuine diplomacy.

29 Apr 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

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Iran

US economy grows 2% in January–March; Iran war clouds outlook

The economy also recovered from last autumn’s 43-day federal shutdown.

Pakistan’s IMF-backed recovery under pressure as Iran-US mediation stalls

Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount

Global oil price hits 4-year high on concerns Iran war could worsen

Global oil benchmark Brent hits $126.41 a barrel, amid warnings it could reach US$150 as peace talks stall.

UK to tackle antisemitism ‘emergency’ as police probe double stabbing

This includes £25 million (US$34 million) for more police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres.

Oil surge on Trump blockade warning tests stocks’ resilience

Crude oil surged to a four-year high and stocks pared April gains after US President Donald Trump said that a US block of the Strait of Hormuz could last months.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | How the AI boom is helping Asia weather the Iran war energy shock

The war in Iran might as well be over for investors as positive sentiment, strong corporate earnings and the AI boom lift Asian markets.

Why King Charles’ ‘Trump bell’ gift amuses Chinese internet users

The king’s present – which came just days after the third assassination attempt on Trump – is a Chinese homophone for ‘attending the dying’.

Could a ‘reckless’ Trump’s ‘destroy-and-deal’ tactics target North Korea?

A Korean-American leader said the strategy was influenced by ‘new neocons’, urging Seoul to prioritise risk management over diplomacy.

Industrial costs up 50% in Hong Kong since start of Mideast war: oil executive

Wah Fu Petroleum Company executive pledges to pass on subsidy to customers, while taxi union leader praises government for quick intervention.

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

Countries respond to massive economic pain with accelerating demand for Chinese PV products but will they maintain the pace?

Trump, Putin talk Iran and Ukraine, US energy exports up: what happened overnight

The two conflicts could end on a ‘similar timetable’ US President Donald Trump has said.

Trump may cut US troops in Germany after ‘humiliating’ Iran comment

The German chancellor has drawn the US president’s ire with his remarks about Tehran besting Washington at the negotiating table.

UK’s King Charles commemorates 9/11 victims in New York visit

The monarch has been emphasising the military and cultural ties between the UK and US, at a time of high tension between the countries.

Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on

US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.

Iran war price tag hits US$25 billion as Hegseth defends record Pentagon budget

Disclosure to Congress comes as the defence chief faces mounting Democratic criticism over spending priorities and strategy.

Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil soaring

Brent crude jumps to US$126 as the US president declares Iran is ‘choking like a stuffed pig’.

Chips, oil and Iran: why US is raising pressure on China before Xi-Trump talks

Washington’s latest moves target semiconductor access and small Chinese oil refineries, though analysts expect Beijing to remain resilient.

London stabbing of 2 Jewish men is terrorist incident: police

The victims, aged 34 and 76, were hospitalised with knife wounds. A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Why China may benefit from the UAE’s Opec withdrawal

Beijing may have access to increased supply – though Strait of Hormuz disruption remains a serious constraint, analysts say.

Opinion | Why an era of managed Hormuz disruption wouldn’t bode well for Asia

As the Gulf moves from war to managed disruption, the risk may become more enduring for markets, governments and companies.

China oil stocks rise as crude rally lifts Sinopec, CNOOC earnings

First-quarter earnings remain resilient as crude prices surge on Middle East tensions, tightening global supply and lifting margins.

Will Israel’s use of Iron Dome to aid Arab neighbour recalibrate Mideast defence?

Reported deployment ‘on UAE soil represents a qualitatively different level of trust and coordination’, analyst says.

Why UAE’s exit from Opec is good news for oil-thirsty Asia

Once free of Opec’s production caps, the world’s sixth-largest oil producer plans to flood the market with 5 million barrels a day.

US economic gap over China to widen, but Iran might bring them closer: Mahbubani

Get your head checked, strategist Mahbubani tells those who underestimate the US and China, while forecasting a bigger GDP gulf between the two by 2030.

‘Wartime’ in Iran and Trump’s extended blockade: here’s what happened overnight

As the US president hit out at Germany’s chancellor, Iran said it did not consider the war to be over, while the UAE pulled out of Opec.

How China’s reported sulphuric acid export ban could have global buyers reeling

Foreign firms fear more halts following reports of a ban on the export of the chemical, crucial for fertiliser and battery production.

Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade is war by another name and must end. Two other things must change for the Iran ceasefire to become genuine diplomacy.

Macroscope | How the AI boom is helping Asia weather the Iran war energy shock